Coffee is the morning staple for many Americans. Coffee is also everyone’s best friend when you need an energy boost throughout your day. Now there is a made-up consumer holiday dedicated to your coffee habit.

Thursday, Sept. 29 is National Coffee Day and various places are offering up discounted or free coffee with the purchase of a menu item.

Krispy Kreme is taking National Coffee Day a step further by also offering free doughnuts. Pilot Flying J is also offering free Pilot Coffee! Other participants on this day include Peets Coffee, Birch Coffee, Cumberland Farms, and Starbucks.

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The following are places you can enjoy some great deals on National Coffee Day:

Krispy Kreme: Krispy Kreme is offering their customers a free coffee and also a free glazed doughnut.

Peets Coffee: Peets Coffee offers a free coffee with any purchase of food.

Birch Coffee: Birch Coffee is offering free drip coffee at all shops between 7 and 10 a.m. on National Coffee Day.

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Cumberland Farms: Customers can text FREECOFFEE to 64827 with a smartphone to receive a coupon for a free iced or hot coffee in any size that can be used on National Coffee Day only.

Dunkin’ Donuts: On National Coffee Day purchase a medium coffee for $0.66 to celebrate Dunkin’ Donuts’ 66 years of business.

McDonald’s: After five McCafe purchases your sixth beverage is free.

Starbucks: You can load $10 on your Starbucks App account and receive a $10 e-gift card in return when you use the Visa Checkout.

Wawa: There is free coffee all day, and any size.

Pilot Flying J: Pilot Flying J is offering a free small cup of coffee or another hot beverage such as tea or cappuccino. Guests must present an online coupon:

www.survivingthestores.com/flying-j-coupons

It is a good idea to stick to one cup of coffee on National Coffee Day. Although small amounts of coffee are likely fine for most people, caffeine addiction may increase the risk of osteoporosis and insomnia. If you drink two or more cups of coffee per day and abruptly end the habit, you will likely experience caffeine withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, fatigue, headaches, difficulty concentrating, and a depressed mood.

What Are Health Benefits of Coffee?

That being said, there is also scientific evidence supporting the benefits of coffee when you consume in moderation. Here are a few ways that drinking your cup of Joe can boost your health:

Coffee can make you smarter: The caffeine in coffee is absorbed into the bloodstream and heads to brain where it blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter called adenosine. This will then enhance other neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, and lead to the firing of neurons. Various studies show that coffee will improve cognitive function, reaction times, mood, memory, and energy levels.

Coffee can improve physical performance: Caffeine stimulates the nervous system and increases adrenaline levels in the blood. Adrenaline is a hormone designed to get the body ready for intense physical exertion. Caffeine breaks down the fat cells in the body and releases them into the blood as free fatty acids that are then used as fuel. As a result, studies show that caffeine can improve physical performance by 11 to 12 percent on average, especially when you drink a coffee before the gym.

Coffee potentially helps with weight loss: Caffeine is also found in many commercial fat burning supplements. Studies show that caffeine can boost metabolic rate and even increase the burning of fat as high as 10 percent in obese individuals.

Coffee is loaded with nutrients: A cup of coffee even contains small amounts of important nutrients like vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, manganese, potassium, and magnesium.

It seems there are some good reasons to enjoy your free coffee on National Coffee Day! But I’m sure you didn’t need a reason to support the cause…